Verty, conscious of his secret, blushes and stammers; for how can he tell the Squire that Mr. Roundjacket and himself were discussing the propriety of his marrying Redbud? He is no longer the open, frank, and fearless Verty of old days—he has become a dissembler, for he is in love.
"I don't know—oh, sir—I could'nt—Mr. Roundjacket—"
The Squire laughs.
"There's some secret here," he says; "out with it, Verty, or it will choke you. Come, Rushton, you are an adept—cross-examine the witness."
Mr. Rushton growls.
"You won't—then I will."
"Perhaps the time, and the subject of conversation, might aid you," says Miss Lavinia, who is nettled at Verty, and thus is guily of what she is afterwards ashamed of.
"A good idea," says the Squire; "and I am pleased to see, Lavinia, that you take so much interest in Verty and Mr. Roundjacket."
Miss Lavinia blushes, and looks solemn and stiff.
"Hum!" continues the Squire. "Oyez! the court is opened! First witness, Mr. Verty! Where, sir, did this conversation occur?"